Why are Christians so boring?

[redblue22]

tag

 

[NoodlesNoodlesNoodles]

I'm down for a good Christian wrestling match. lol

You wear your Space Ghost outfit. I'll be Zorak. We'll have to rely on someone else to bring the blow up pool and chocolate pudding. In the mean time... en garde!!

 

[anewday]

Did somebody say chocolate?

 

[NoodlesNoodlesNoodles]

Did somebody say chocolate?

Get in the blowup pool and prepare for war.

 

[redblue22]

serious post #312: (ut hem) Exactly what would an exciting Christian look like? (I want to see picture people, pictures!)

 

[anewday]

Get in the blowup pool and prepare for war.

I'm in already.

 

[Zom]

Bear in mind, I'm one too. I just meet so many dead, lifeless, boring, dull people who are Christians and have to ask, why? Have you ever met people like this? It seems like the only thing you can do as a Christian is read the bible, go to church and evangelize. Anyone else encounter this?

I've met Christians like that, and used to be one myself. I've found that there is a "breed" of Christianity that believes our purpose in this religion is to do exactly as you stated: read the Bible, go to church, and evangelize. In my experience, they also believe that the point of being a Christian is to not sin.

There are multiple problems with that. First off, the point of the Christian life is not to stop sinning. It's not going to happen. Yes, the Bible tells us to be perfect, and Jesus admonished at least one person that I can think of to "go and sin no more." However, God is well aware that we are sinners and we will continue to sin. Paul was well aware of this fact and pointed to Christ as our mediator for when we do sin.

The point of the Christian life is to be a Christian in life. We are to love God, and in so doing, we see a decrease in our sin. Loving God is not accomplished through a schedule of reading the Bible, attending church, and evangelizing. That is very nearly an attitude of legalism that leads to the thought, "if I maintain this schedule then I will love God." Out of that same thought pattern comes many of our traditions, including memorized prayers, a habit of listening strictly to Christian radio, and paying tithes.

I don't consider myself to be a boring Christian, but I am also not the kind of man that you will find in a church pew on every Sunday. We are meant to have realistic lives. It is good to attend church, to read the Bible, and to share what God has done in our lives, but I am very much against the plans and programs and schedules that Churchianity has produced to develop a relationship.

In short, I believe that Christians with such a finite scope on what it means to be a Christian (so-called "boring" Christians) are going through "the motions" in an attempt to force a relationship with God, despite all of the teaching they receive to cease that pattern of living. Even some of those who teach against that pattern of living practice it themselves. If you scheduled absolutely every activity with your family, that would not breed love within your family.

I wake up and read my Bible if I feel that I should, or if I have a moment and the thought to do so crosses my mind. I pray when I have need or an abundance of some emotion toward God (whether it's anger or gratitude or what have you). I share my faith when the subject comes up (as it invariably does) during Thanksgiving dinner or discussion of what it takes to be a writer.

On the flip side of that coin, I read books other than the Bible. I listen to some secular music, though none that speaks against God. My view of God currently is that He's the loving father and I am the struggling addict; He's made to hold my head over the toilet as I throw up from the results of many of my choices. In the moments when I'm sober, He talks with me and tries to speak some sense into me. I know what I should do, but I am not always willing to do it, and--in the interests of a completely honest relationship with Him--I refuse to pretend some emotion or action simply for the sake of making Him happy if there's no real pure motive in my heart.

I may be way off the ball on my thoughts, but my relationship with God is messy, but sincere. In the moments where I am closer to God, I rarely feel closer to Him. I simply know that I am closer because I hear His voice more distinctly without the sound of a church choir or the guilt of a schedule hanging over my head.

 

[redblue22]

(applause)

 

[Miss Spaulding]

I'll be the first to admit that I personally can be extremely boring at times...well, to other people, not to myself. Lol.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I understand what you're saying Zom, believe me...I do. Many here can attest to my atrocities to them alone; and even more in this world have a deep hatred for the choices I've made in the pattern of thought you are carrying (only mine has the capacity to hold an army of men at guard and froward). Prodigaled, I called myself a Rogue Christian, still under the protection and guidance of Yahweh - and fulfilled the prophecies set forth before me from others.

But beware, such a way of thought does not carry the capacity to honour our Father in our life.

Indeed the heart must be willing, even as Yeshua said the woman who gave the little with her whole heart gives more than those whom give much but without the same intentions, love, and care; but being away from the word, not building a daily relationship, and refusing to recognize our faults and repenting of them will only lead to lip service and the Lukewarmness I mentioned earlier.

 

[Blank123]

I like turtles.

 

[toastface_grillah]

serious post #312: (ut hem) Exactly what would an exciting Christian look like? (I want to see picture people, pictures!)

How's this? The Christian who designed this poster has got to be exciting!

 

[NoodlesNoodlesNoodles]

I'm in already.

You asked for it.

War Low Rider - YouTube

 

[Nom De Guerre]

What excitement do you really wish to see? No such true joy exists without true love and without said love there is only anger, bitterness, jealousy...to what end? War? Will you then see yourself filled by drinking the darkness of the world? Or will you thrist for more?

I have drank the blood of my enemies, figuratively speaking...and that did not quench my thirst. I have laid down evil men, and still my heart not fulfilled...love, the commandments of Yeshua, in all honesty, is the only true joy in this world. Believe in that and you will find an excitement beyond measure.

 

[Neve]

I feel like some people want to hear about other people's lives and are only satisfied if it sounds like an episode of "Sex and the City" - bar hopping, sleeping around, drunken evenings turned into hung over mornings, relationship woes. And then they hear about my weekend, and are so disappointed that my life does not resemble Sex and the City in the slightest. Well, I say good luck with your life! If I am a boring, so be it.

 

[redblue22]

kill your tv.

 

[Sketcher]

I'm not sure what Christians you are meeting that are boring and have no interests outside of church. Some interests that Christians I know have (some including myself): Sports, dancing, beer, the beach, camping, hiking, shooting, rock climbing, karaoke, movies, computers, cooking, running, art shows, roller coasters, skydiving, board/card games . . . and that's just off the top of my head. Some of these will interest some people, some of them will not interest other people. Church is where people gather around the common interest of Christ. When people are gathered around any given interest, their focus will be on the interest they gathered around in the first place. And mutual interests beyond the one they gathered around is really a crapshoot when it draws a diverse crowd. Christianity is for everybody, therefore it draws a diverse crowd.

 

[Isambard]

It's the result of a religion that actively discourages personal development.

 

[Boondock_Saint]

I'm not boring. Just look at my santa hat.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

I am the most boring out of my Christian brethren.


I'm sorry for being a killjoy